Preparation of Ag3PO4/BiOCOOH Composite Photocatalysts with High Photocatalytic Performances Under Visible Light Irradiation.

A series of Ag₃PO₄/BiOCOOH composite photocatalysts have been successfully synthesized by a simple in situ ion precipitation method. The crystallinity, morphology, microstructure, composition and optical property were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectrophotometer (DRS). The as-prepared catalysts exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of RhB and MB under visible light irradiation, the 2:1 Ag₃PO₄/BiOCOOH exhibited the best photocatalytic activity. By adding different free radical scavengers, the catalytic mechanism was discussed. In the process of degradation of RhB, holes (h is the main active species, O played a certain active role, OH played a small role. In the process of degradation MB, holes (h is the main active species too, O also played a certain active role, OH almost does not work. Ag₃PO₄/BiOCOOH composite photocatalysts with different molar ratio have been successfully synthesized via a simple in situ ion precipitation method. The formed heterostructure between BiOCOOH and Ag₃PO₄ can improve the separation efficiency of photo-induced electrons and holes. The as-prepared Ag₃PO₄/BiOCOOH composites exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity in the degradation of RhB and MB under visible-light illumination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]